Sandy destroyed precious reminders of 9/11

Like so many others, Heeran is battling with banks and insurers to get the money he needs to rebuild, hoping to reopen by Thanksgiving 2014.

“It literally burnt down to the foundation,” he said of what was once a neighborhood staple full of mementos. “It’s a pile of metal. We couldn’t find anything.”

Not far away, a park built in memory of those killed during the attacks was mangled by the storm. Tribute Park, completed in 2005, which offers clear views of lower Manhattan across Jamaica Bay, suffered nearly $20,000 in damage. The storm destroyed the underground electrical system, uprooted brick pavers, and damaged lights and gravel areas around the steel monument.

Bernie Warnock, president of Friends of Tribute Park, said that this Sept. 11, despite the damage caused by Sandy, about 200 people are expected to gather for a small service, as they have since the park’s opening.

“It’s the Rockaway tradition,” he said. “Pull up your bootstraps and get on with your life.”